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I love watching the Olympics, being a sports nut it is just my cup of tea.
It is not only watching the sports, but watching the Aussies compete in those sports, even sports that I would not watch anytime in the previous 3 years. The other night I found myself watching the end of the equestrian 3 day event, where the Aussies had a chance to win Gold.

There I was watching the Aussies, and I felt like I was jumping each fence with them as they went around the circuit, then hoping that the German riders would knock down a few fences so that the Aussies would win.

You know it is easy to watch from the sidelines, it is easy to be an arm chair expert; it is very different being an Olympic athlete.

Jesus calls us to be a part of the action, to make a difference in the world around us, to be the salt and light in the world.

Our Corps vision is to see lives transformed, that’s something I don’t want to just watch, I want to be involved.

Lights

Matthew 5:15-17 (NLV)
15 Men do not light a lamp and put it under a basket. They put it on a table so it gives light to all in the house. 16 Let your light shine in front of men. Then they will see the good things you do and will honor your Father Who is in heaven.

I sit here tonight with the lights of Melbourne looking back at me, it is a lovely sight.

I wonder if in some way it is like looking down from heaven seeing all the lights of those who have been called to be light and salt in the world.

Maybe that is fancifal thinking, but is does remind me to let my light shine so that people see Jesus in me.

The story behind the story

All our experiences, good or bad have an effect on how we react in certain situations, how we relate to others and how others react to us.

We are rarely aware that this is the case. We like to think that we live in the here and now but that is not always the case.

Have you ever had someone react in a strange, "out of character" way?

Perhaps there is a story behind the story - just something to think about.

Celebration

I have just come home from a pair of Parent/Teacher interviews at our children's school.

We have been given much to celebrate, as the teacher's told us about how Jess & Jack have done so far this year.

Jessica's teachers spoke glowingly about how she relates to others at school and also how she responds well when given a compliment.

We all like to hear praise don't we.

We all like to think that we are valued, have something to contribute etc.

Our heavenly Father is no different.

He loves to hear praise from his children.

Psalm 149:1(MSG)
Hallelujah! Sing to God a brand-new song, praise him in the company of all who love him. Let all Israel celebrate their Sovereign Creator, Zion's children exult in their King. Let them praise his name in dance; strike up the band and make great music! And why? Because God delights in his people, festoons plain folk with salvation garlands!

Home

We have been moving house over the last few days and I have gotten behind on my blog.

Moving is quite a stressful thing to do, sorting, packing. shifting, cleaning, labelling etc.

Then you get to your new place and you unpack .....

It is such a great feeling when you get to the point where you feel like the new place is 'home', whether that is when the TV is set up and you can sit and relax on the couch, or your bed is made up and you can try to get a good night sleep.

Sometimes at Church, people warn us about not getting too comfortable and the need to move out of our comfort zones, and this is so true.

However, we need to also recognise the need that people have to feel love and acceptance in our Churches, to feel like they belong, like it is 'home'.

If we can't do that at Church, what hope do we have?

1 Peter 3:8 Message
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

No more to give

Have you ever found yourself with nothing more to give?

There is a song in the songbook that includes, "When we reach the end of our hoarded resources..." This can be such a lonely experience, so draining, how can I go on?

It does not have to be like this, God is there waiting for us to just say I cannot do this without you !!

If you find yourself facing this, just remember;

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)
“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

Keeping it real

I recently read this quote.

“The call to authenticity is not a call to perfection; it is a call to recognize and address our counterfeit selves.”
(Robert Terry, "Authentic Leadership" page 268)

I am not sure if I completly agree with this. As Christians is not the call to holiness a call to perfection?

That aside, I like that second part, "it is a call to recognize and address our counterfeit selves."

In a way this deals with the process of becoming more like Christ, dealing with those things that on the surface we may be able to fake, the internal reality is so different.

My prayer is that I want to be an authentic reflection of Jesus Christ, not a counterfeit one.

Philippians 3:12(NLT)

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.